Solihull


All the latest news, advice and events for the Solihull business community


Contact: Joan Smith T: 0121 678 7488


A sense of community is important for Touchwood


Andrew Cole, general manager of Touchwood in Solihull, discusses why the business community is so important to the centre.


Touchwood has around 14 million customers pass through its doors every year from across the region so it is easy to believe that all we need to do is create the right brand image, put all the basics of a great product in place and ‘they will come’… As anyone in business will know though,


external factors can play an even larger role in the success of a business so reasonable forethought and external stakeholder engagement is crucial to us in ensuring that consideration is given to the things we can influence, such as traffic measures, timing of local project works, policing, neighbourhood intelligence, town-centre growth strategies and more. If works on the M42 are giving consistent one-hour delays for example, this can shut off a whole segment of our prospective catchment costing our businesses millions.


‘Many businesses focus far too internally and neglect to see the tides washing around them’


What is often forgotten is the power of


advocacy. Certainly, my intention when I am working with the Chamber of Commerce is to engage with senior business leaders in order that they have trust in the direction and quality that Touchwood is delivering. In my opinion, many businesses focus far


too internally and neglect to see the tides washing around them so the 30 per cent or so of my time that I spend outside of Touchwood in the business and voluntary community is vital in ensuring that I am aware of the market movements and opportunities that are presenting themselves. Engaging with local businesses through Chamber also helps to break the myth that we are a large company that are difficult to do business with. This keeps as much of the business as we can local, opens up the procurement conversations and enables us to generate good value for our retailers. Trying to have these conversations would


be much more difficult without the access that being a Chamber of Commerce member grants. I would urge all paid-up Chamber members to utilise the engagement opportunities that Chamber offers, to ensure your business like ours, is able to understand the local influencing factors and has a feel on the business rhythm that is floating around us.


28 CHAMBERLINK October 2017


Shortlist for Chamber awards are revealed


The shortlist for the inaugural Solihull Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards has been announced. There are six categories in the awards, which


take place on 19 October at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Those shortlisted are:


• Solihull business person of the year award: Samantha Rutter (Open Study College), Mick Westman (Quick Code Labs), Abilgail Bromfield (Arup) Adam Snelleksz (CMA Video)


• Outstanding large business: Hogarths Hotel, Midshire Business Systems and Hilton Birmingham Metropole


• Outstanding small business: Open Study College, CMA Video, Oaks Consultancy and Stickee Technology


• Outstanding start-up business: Indico Street Kitchen and Bar, Guru You, Ex-Forces Recruitment and Limitless Travel


• Outstanding contribution to the community: Hogarths Hotel, Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Borroclub and SoLO Life Opportunities


• Outstanding apprentice: Sam Holmes (Quick Code Labs), Samaira Fareed (Quick Code Labs), Katie Pell (Xoserve) and Danny Dempsey (K2 Development). The awards were judged by Chamber chief


operating office Russell Jeans, Steve Allen, head of the Birmingham office of law firm Mills & Reeve, Louise Teboul, operations director of Common Purpose, and Rebecca Delmore, group sales director at Five Ways Hospitality. The awards will be hosted by Heart FM


presenter Ed James, who has been the voice of station’s breakfast show for the past eight years. Ed said: “I’m super excited about joining not


only some of the biggest names in the region like Solihull College and Air Telecom but also some of the most exciting and driven business professionals. It’s going to be quite a night!”


Judgment day (clockwise from rear left): Steve Allen, Russell Jeans, Rebecca Delmore and Louise Teboul


Solihull Chamber director Joan Smith said:


“We’re absolutely thrilled that Ed has agreed to host the dinner and awards. He is one of the region’s most popular broadcasters and he is sure to add to the excitement on what is already going to be a special night.” Sydney Mitchell, One Design, A2B Radio Cars


Ltd, Solihull College and Birmingham City University are also on board as award sponsors.


A range of sponsorship packages are available. Call 0121 607 1772 or email events@birmingham-chamber.com


College signs on as BID sponsor


Solihull College & University Centre, which recently announced plans for a ‘strategic merger’ with Stratford-upon-Avon College, has been confirmed as one of the sponsors for this year’s Solihull BID Excellence Awards. Nominations are now being invited for the


Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2017, which celebrate the outstanding businesses and enthusiastic employees that make the town centre a great place to work. The Awards will take place on 23 November


at the St Johns Hotel and feature seven categories: Best Apprentice / Trainee, Best Hospitality & Leisure, Best Customer Service, Outstanding Team of 2017, Best Independent,


Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise, Best Fundraising or Community Project. Nominations can be made by clicking here:


www.solihullbid.co.uk Solihull College & University Centre joins high-


profile businesses BNP Paribas Personal Finance, IM Properties, Phoebus Software, Touchwood and the Solihull Observer, as a sponsor for the red-carpet event. Principal John Callaghan said: “With the


College’s strong ties to the community and local employers, sponsoring the awards allows us to further develop these relationships while celebrating the fantastic work done by businesses in the region.”


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